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Traditions

"The British fishing-lords"

In 1840, after visiting this particular area, the English author William Bilton published the description of a journey; "Two Summers in Norway". On pages 6 and 7 we can read about his enthusiasm for this land: "(...)there are more general sources of interest, in the beauty of the scenery, the novelty of the habits, the extreme kindness and hospitality of the inhabitants, the fineness of the climate in summer, that render it impossible(...)not to derive deep gratification from a tour in Norway; even though he be not, as I frankly confess myself to be, a passionate lover of Angling."The paper version of this book is possible to view on request, and can also be read in full version by following this link: http://www.archive.org/details/twosummersinnor00biltgoogOver a span of a hundred years, Tørrisdalen was favored by the English nobility, who used to spend the summers with their families at the riverside mansion, "Tørrisdal House", built there in 1847 with The Urstad Farm. In 1846, Mr. Brethel rented both the house and fishing here for a period of 30 years.

"The Urstad Reel"(Urstadsnella).

Many of the English guests preferred using the fishing reel handmade by Mr. Elias Urstad, (married to the owner Sophie Margrethe Urstad). Some claim that this reel, made of massive brass, possibly may have been the very patent used for the famous Hardy-reel.